WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Cruz (R-Texas) yesterday introduced a bill to provide certainty to water agencies who supply water to Texans and to protect the water supply future of Texas. The legislation ensures that interstate water transfers between Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas will not be interrupted as a result of the Lacey Act, which affects trade in wildlife, fish, or plants across state lines. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) has filed companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“For the last several years, Texas water interests have faced regulatory barriers at every turn,” Sen. Cruz said. “With this legislation, water agencies who supply water to Texans will now have the confidence and clarity to continue providing water without interruption from Washington.”

“The legislation introduced yesterday provides important assurances to water agencies to supply water to Texans in danger due to antiquated laws in desperate need of modernization,” Rep. Gohmert said. “The legislation prevents unnecessary interruptions of interstate water transfers between Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas as a result of ‘invasive species’ provisions of the Lacey Act, which affects trade in wildlife, fish, or plants across state lines. The bill exempts water transfers in these states so long as the invasive species are found on both sides of the state line.”

Last month, Sen. Cruz addressed the 13th annual Texas Water Day, hosted by the Texas Water Conservation Association, where he reiterated his commitment to reducing federal regulations that impact Texas water rights and water conservation and returning more regulatory authority to state and local governments.